Full FeediPhone gets physical keyboard, wants to be normal again
Many asked for it, but I’m sure this isn’t what they wanted. I’m talking about the iPhone with physical keyboard. I don’t know what you think, but after watching this video, I just feel as though this iPhone has been violated.
Of course, this isn’t a fair evaluation of a potential iPhone with physical keyboard. But if the new MacBooks are any indication of the future of Apple and buttons, then you can kiss that wish goodbye.
I really don’t think the iPhone’s lack of a physical keyboard is a problem though. That’s not to say that the virtual keyboard is perfect either. What Apple needs to do is enable the widescreen keyboard system-wide. I know there could be issues with App Store apps and going horizontal, but at the very least Apple could update Mail.
The widescreen keyboard itself could use a little work, too. The tiny area at the top to see what you are typing isn’t always large enough to be useful. I see a few solutions to this problem. First, the widescreen keyboard’s height could be made adjustable, though I don’t foresee Apple doing this. Here’s a silly idea. The next iPhone could have a slide out screen, instead of a slide out keyboard. The screen could be dedicated to user input like a real keyboard, but still retain it’s button flexibility. Ultimately, it would probably ruin the design, so that one’s out too. Or Apple could just make the screen bigger on the next batch of iDevices.
I also think the iPhone needs haptic feedback. This could be in the form of light vibrations with each key press, which could be enabled with a firmware update to current iDevices. In the future, I hope Apple will work to develop even better technologies to deal with this issue.
I fully believe in the idea of a virtual keyboard, and I really think it is better than a real one, at least for a device like the iPhone. There are some improvements that can and should be made, but that’s no different than most products. What do you think about the relationship between the iPhone and it’s keyboard? Do you wish it was more physical? What do you want to see from Apple in the future in relation to this issue?
Via [CrunchGear]
Subscribe to keep up with the latest Apple news and rumors! - 
Subscribe to our feed
Black Friday 2009
Black Friday is almost here! Gadgetell's got you covered with all the latest news on who's offering the best deals. Dangerous crowds? You're on your own.
Our new podcast: Meet...
We know. Podcasts are so last year - but this one you won't want to miss. Whether it’s a rumor that won’t die, a new product announcement, or just a really good Macintosh or iPhone app find that we have to let you know about, we’ll make sure it’s covered on Appletellcast.
iPhone App Reviews
iPhone Apps. They were great when the App Store was first announced and we could all pick and chose what we wanted, but the number is now overwhelming. Here at Appletell, we'll detail the great iPhone apps we find, and steer you clear from those that aren't worth it even if they're free.
iPhone Game Reviews
As Apple turns the iPhone into one of the most popular gaming devices, the staff of Appletell--gamers and Apple fans alike--are here to help you get the most entertainment value out of your app store purchases.
I think a physical keyboard would be a nice feature for people that have fat fingers and still like the iphone like me.
on August 3, 2009 at 01:14 PM - LINK